It is said that you learn the most when tough times come knocking at your door.
Rana Naved-ul-Hasan is an example of the kind of good that staying on the outside can do to a talented cricketer, provided he doesn't lose heart.
Hasan made his debut in Sharjah immediately after Pakistan's disastrous 2003 World Cup campaign. That was at a time when the selectors decided to rest or drop (take your pick) all their top players. He was then touted as a competitor to Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik and Azhar Mahmood for the all-rounder's spot. But few backed him despite some impressive performances early on and he was dropped, allegedly because of indiscipline.
But Hasan says that during the last season he was suffering from the effects of playing too much cricket.
"I had played a lot of cricket and come into the tournament jaded. My arm was not straight and my action was a bid round-armed," he says.
But Pakistan persisted with him and got him back into the side for the first ODI against India during the recent tour. The result: an impressive three-wicket haul and Woolmer recognizing his talent.
"Woolmer Sir is a very big help. He knows how to coach. Sabse bada [the biggest] difference yahi hai, ki sab maante hai unki baat [is everyone listens to him].
"He has a lot of experience as a coach. Iske pehle [before him] Javedbhai was the coach. He has played a lot of cricket, much more than Woolmer and he was a very great cricketer, but he had no coaching experience. There was no method. That has changed now."
Hasan bowled his heart out and claimed a career-best 4 for 25 against the Indians in the crucial Champions Trophy match on Sunday, but his biggest test came when he had to walk out and join Yousuf Youhana in the middle with the match closely poised. Though the match was Pakistan's for the taking, Hasan, who fancies himself as an all-rounder, needed to stay at the wicket with Youhana.
"I was very scared. I was nervous. I have only batted four times in ODIs and every time it has been a close match. I struggled a bit, but we won," he said proudly.
Woolmer, who was all praise for his man of the moment, believes that Hasan has improved with every match; that he has a cool head on his shoulders.
Indeed, if Hasan continues to improve at the rate he is going, Razzaq's place in the side could soon be under threat. Doubtless, we'll be hearing a lot more of the all-rounder in the near future.
